This case takes place in California and involves an engineering expert witness who was retained to examine damage caused to a family’s home due to local mining activities. The plaintiff owned a home that was several hundred yards from a large mine. A blast was conducted at the mine that allegedly caused significant damage to the plaintiffs’ home. One of the plaintiffs was home when the blast was conducted, and she stated that the blast violently shook the home. The plaintiffs reported that immediately after the blasting event, they observed a very large crack in the concrete wall on the exterior of their home that had not been their prior to the blast. They observed several other damages to the home that had not been there prior to the blast, including extensive damage to their garage, and several shattered windows. It is alleged that earth movement and air pressure were the causes of these damages. It is also claimed that the blasting was more than likely the cause of these damages.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Do you have extensive knowledge in structural damage that a blasting event can occur?
2. What kind of structural damage can be caused by living in proximity of a mine?
3. Please explain your experience working on similar cases?
Expert Witness Response E-010406
My focus is on developing tools from structural vibrations, nonlinear dynamics, and time series modeling fields for structural health monitoring and damage prognosis strategies. This case is directly within my specialty.
About the author
Joseph O'Neill
Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.
